My brother was just diagnosed with a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. He’s not saying much. Could you tell us what’s the worse he might expect with this disease?

Arthritis comes in many forms including one called psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Psoriasis is a disease that most people think of as primarily a skin disease because the condition causes a persistent rash in various areas of the body. Psoriatic arthritis is a type of joint disease that occurs in roughly seven percent of people who have psoriasis.

Psoriatic arthritis affects people of all ages, but most get it between the ages of 30 and 50. Usually a patient has psoriasis (the skin rash) for many years before the arthritis develops, and the arthritis comes on slowly. But this is not always the case. No matter what, patients with psoriatic arthritis must manage both the outbreaks of itchy, scaly skin and the pain and stiffness of arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can be a very aggressive disease. It can affect the small joints of the hands and feet causing considerable damage and disability. People who have psoriatic arthritis also tend to develop other chronic problems such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease.

Tissue inflammation affecting the skin, joints, nails, and tendons can really put a damper on activities, mood, and perceived quality of life. You may see evidence of decline in your brother over time.

Family support is very important for patients with this condition. Some patients don’t like to go to the doctor and start to miss appointments or extend the time between appointments more than they should. This is a mistake since keeping up on controlling the disease with medication is vital. Your encouragement and care in your brother’s life will be needed in this phase of his life.